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SAN DIEGO — In middle school, local artist and instructor Vickie Lawrence took some of her first art classes and quickly fell in love with visual arts. It was the support of one of her art teachers that gently nudged her down the path of a career as an artist.

“I was encouraged and supported by an art teacher who believed that I could be a great artist. It was through this support that I continued my exploration of the art world, eventually leading to me opening my own art studio supporting underserved communities in San Diego,” she says. “Without my art teacher, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s so important to me to provide this support and these outlets for individuals with disabilities, to build their confidence in themselves.”

She’s been creating that kind of support for folks with disabilities through her Dancing Around the Oak Tree Art Studio, providing a space for people to learn about and create different types of art, whether it be through in-person classes in public spaces in San Diego County, or her online workshops. As an artist with disabilities herself, she mostly enjoys creating works with recycled materials, papier-mache, wood, and woven artwork, with a preference for acrylic depictions of trees and nature.

Lawrence, 63, founded her organization/art studio in 2014 and lives in downtown San Diego’s East Village neighborhood. She has a son, and eight grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She took some time to talk about her work, how art also helps with coping skills, and educating the general public about people with disabilities in San Diego’s art community (for this interview, Sydney Costales, with Olive Public Relations, assisted with her responses).

Q: Tell us about Dancing Around the Oak Tree Art Studio.

A: It’s a community art space for individuals who need a supportive and safe environment to explore their creative sides … with the goal to help people who didn’t have the opportunity to learn more about themselves and discover new passions, particularly within the arts. Regarding the name of the studio, I brought in members of the community to help me brand my new creative space. I wanted something reflective of my life journey and my passions: nature, dance, art. Dancing Around the Oak Tree was eventually formed, and I’ve never looked back.

Q: Why was this an organization you wanted to start?

A: I started this art studio to support the underserved, disabled community in San Diego. Individuals in my community had asked for my help in expressing themselves creatively, and I realized I had the skills and the resources to help them. As a member of the art community, I felt it was my responsibility and my calling to create a space for members of the disabled community to explore the art world in a safe and comfortable way.

Q: Why was it important to you to focus specifically on serving people with disabilities?

A: I found that people with limited abilities are underserved and often ignored. I think it’s incredibly important to give them the attention and the support that they need. For me, this is through art and creativity.

Q: What led you to decide that arts education was an area that San Diego’s disabled community was in need of?

A: As a child, I had a great supportive education. I had resources that weren’t readily available to those I teach now. I want to be able to teach art skills and provide guidance to San Diego’s disabled community in a way and space that’s comfortable for them. Art is a great outlet which I want to support those in the disabled community to explore.

Q: Your bio mentions that you haven’t let your own disability hinder your desire to express yourself artistically. Are you comfortable sharing what your disability is?

A: I am not comfortable disclosing my disability.

Q: Why was working as an artist something you wanted to pursue yourself?

A: Through art and the pieces I’ve created, it’s brought me a sense of peace and deep personal healing. Expressing myself through my art has been key in my journey of healing.

Q: Walk us through what happens when someone wants to take part in the services provided by Dancing Around the Oak Tree.

A: For those who would like to work or volunteer at the organization, there’s an application they can fill out and send to me. Art classes and workshops are free for all students and are in collaboration with the San Diego Central Library with classes also offered at the [OliverMcMillan] I CAN! Center. Classes offered include painting on canvas, writing skills, jewelry making, learning and creating different kinds of paints, how to use paint properly, and more. I lead the classes along with volunteers from the San Diego community. Class size is usually around 25 participants.

Q: What are the kinds of art classes you provide that also aid in the development of coping skills?

A: For the development of coping skills, I lead classes working with beads of different colors. Participants make bracelets, usually more than one, for their friends and family which helps deal with stress.

Q: How do these classes help participants develop coping skills?

A: The participants care about their bracelets and know that their friends and family will also cherish them. I carve time out for each student and help them with their artistic choices to make sure that they’re confident with the end result. In the classes, participants make new friends, socialize in a safe and comfortable environment, and share their finished bracelets with their new friends.

Q: What kinds of coping skills do these classes focus on?

A: These classes help students develop better communication skills and learn to not be overly frustrated if the product doesn’t come out as intended. Students are also encouraged to work on pieces that make them happy and explore new mediums and projects that interest them.

Q: In your goal to educate the general public about people with disabilities who are in the artistic community, what do you want the general public to know/understand?

A: These students are artists. They’re capable of producing incredible artwork, and with the right support, encouragement, and direction, they’re capable of so much. Artists with disabilities are capable of doing anything they want to achieve.

Q: What’s been challenging about your work?

A: Learning to maintain the business and engaging with the community. I’m also constantly learning new skills and how to implement them in my classes.

Q: What’s been rewarding about this work?

A: The most rewarding thing about working at Dancing Around the Oak Tree is meeting new artists and inviting them to different events in San Diego. It’s also an honor to be able to represent the studio and spread awareness of what we’re doing here.

Q: What has this work taught you about yourself?

A: Not to be hard on myself. If I don’t understand how to do certain things, ask questions, and stay curious. Most importantly, to believe in myself and what I’m doing here at the studio. I’ll always be looking for new educational tips and for opportunities to collaborate with other artists.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

A: Do not give up on your goals.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?

A: When people look at me, they don’t think that I have a disability.

Q: Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend.

A: Exploring different events around town and spending quality time with my family.

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